Ground textures are scaled to create illusions of flying high over buildings, but your plane’s model may be bigger than a residential block, so it can be difficult to tell just how close you are to the ground. Not intentionally, of course you’re supposedly flying nimble single-seaters, except the model sizes are drastically off when compared to the bridges, tunnels, and buildings you’re flying around. CS puts a focus on barnstorming and stunt-flying, demanding you do WWI-style trick flying stunts with planes the size of WW2 bombers. CS has a screwy sense of scale that makes it more difficult than it should be. The original release was very buggy, but even with fixes, there are problems (the loading screen on the patched version flashes rapidly and could trigger epilepsy). While you’ll grow sick of a few of the canned lines during the missions themselves (“looks like you’ve got them all hot and bothered!”), the voice acting is top-notch and fun overall.ĬS does have issues, both technical and gameplay.

The mission briefings are filled with a colorful cast of quirky pirate companions and are intentionally reminiscent of old radio serials. Based on the tabletop game from FASA, CS aims to recapture the feel of aeronautics adventure pulps with a dystopian sci-fi twist. The world-building in Crimson Skies is exceptional. A cross between Red Baron and Star Wars: X-Wing, Crimson Skies puts you in the role of a daring air pirate, leading his crew to booty and glory. Crimson Skies is a title which you may love for the game it tries to be more than for the game it is.

For windows download WWII: Clear Sky 41